Izzy & Oscar

by Allison Estes, Dan Stark, Tracy Dockray (Illustrator)

Overview

Hilarious yet sweet, this charming picture book that will give readers the giggles while subtly conveying the message to love others for who they are. Pretend pirate captain Izzy is looking for a pet when an adventurous little octopus squiggles into town.

Have you ever taught an octopus to roll over? It's harder than it looks. Discover why octopuses make the best pets in this charming picture book about friendship and embracing individuality!

Izzy has always wanted a pet. So when an adventurous octopus squiggles into town, Izzy decides to keep him. After all, a real pirate captain has to have a mascot. Oscar is not very good at going for walks or playing fetch. (Although he is amazing at hide and seek). And he's definitely not like other pets…

But he is just right for Izzy.

Readers will be tickled by Izzy's attempts to teach Oscar to behave like a dog, a parrot, a pony—and gratified by Izzy's realization that in the end we love others for who they are…eight arms and all!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492601500
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	04/07/2015
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.20(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD570L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Joanna Campbell appears here with her six-year-old Thoroughbred, Meyersville Magic, known around the barn as CC. He's a son of Horatius out of Northwich by Timothy's Champ and is owned by Cathy Day. Formerly trained for racing, he is now being trained for eventing. Last Year he was the Maine Entry Level Champion in Combined Training.

Editorial Reviews

02/23/2015
Izzy and her friends are in the middle of a serious pirate phrase. “Call me Izzy,” she says, opening the book in Melvillean fashion. “It’s only Isabel if I am in trouble. And the captain is never in trouble.” Izzy’s friends already have their own pirate animal mascots, and Izzy finds hers in a purple octopus named Oscar. Dockray (Sweet Baby Feet) draws Oscar with a semblance of naturalistic detail, but Estes and Stark are in it for the laughs as Izzy tries to train Oscar. “He was pretty good on the leash. Mostly,” they write as Oscar all but glues himself to the door of a sushi restaurant. And, later, Oscar parlays a heroic swimming-pool rescue into a gig as “the best lifeguard ever,” complete with whistle and sunglasses. Offsetting the comedy, the authors conclude with a list of 12 octopus facts, noting the animal’s camouflage and regenerative abilities. It’s a goofy, good-natured story of a decidedly nontraditional pet. Because, as Izzy explains, “A traditional pet does not squoosh out black ink all over everything. And your mother.” Ages 4–8. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"It's a ridiculous tale of friendship, pets and great adventure — perfect for the last days of summer." — The Greenville News

"It’s a goofy, good-natured story of a decidedly nontraditional pet." — Publishers Weekly

"Dockray's lively illustrations portray the action and add to the humor of this cheery, unusual pet story...a grand addition to any pet-themed read-aloud session. " — Kirkus Reviews

"In this amusing book we see how friendships can sometimes be a little rocky at the beginning, especially if your friend happens to be an octopus. Children will be amused to see how Izzy and Oscar resolve their problem in a rather unconventional way. " — Through the Looking Glass Reviews

"It's a really cute story about seeing strengths in others and not being upset when people (or pets) don't conform to the standards we think they should. Izzy and Oscar is a lighthearted, funny, and sweet book that kids will love. " — Batch of Books

"My girls both loved this book. My older one had fun spouting off the facts that she learned at the end, and both of them found the book humorous and cute." — Motherhood Moment

"This book is flat out adorable! From it's bright and happy illustrations, down to the fun pirate-themed story both myself and my Littlest Little loved reading it...This will make a perfect gift for young boys and girls who love to read, or love to be read to!" — Me, My Shelf and I

"Izzy & Oscar by Allison Estes and Dan Stark is a fabulous, imaginative little story that will quickly capture the hearts of you and your children... The fun, imagination-filled story and the bright, heart-warming illustrations make this a book that kids will love to read over and over again." — Glimpse

"This exciting story is full of rich vocabulary, beautiful pencil and dye illustrations, and belly-laugh humor that young children will love. " — School Library Journal

"Izzy and Oscar is beautifully illustrated and shows how we can all be truly unique and yet loved for who we are. " — Central Minnesota Mom

"The illustrations by Tracy Dockray are sweet and colorful. In addition to a fun story that teaches that we love others for who they are not who we want them to be, you will also find 12 Octofacts at the end of the story. " — Mom’s Lifesavers

From the Publisher

05/01/2015
K-Gr 2—Izzy, the pirate captain, has always wanted a pet. One day, she and her friends stumble upon a rather nontraditional pet, an octopus, whom she names Oscar. He eats too much and inks her mom, but when a man goes overboard, Oscar comes to the rescue, saving Izzy and another friend who can't swim. This exciting story is full of rich vocabulary, beautiful pencil and dye illustrations, and belly-laugh humor that young children will love. The images are colorful and eye-catching, while not overpowering. The characters' facial expressions are funny and speak volumes. The back of the book also contains a list of fun "Octofacts." Izzy & Oscar has the potential to appeal to children of all genders, while offering girl empowerment through Izzy's pirate captain narrative; she's a young and quirky, modern-day Anne Bonny. This title would make a great segue into a STEM discussion on animal camouflage and octopi traits. VERDICT A good addition to any library or classroom collection, making for a fun read aloud or independent reading selection.—Kaitlin Connors, Virginia Beach Public Library

School Library Journal

2015-02-03
Pirate captain Izzy finds a treasure of a pet in an octopus.With his surprising ability to survive outside the water, Oscar the octopus isn't much like a real octopus, but he isn't much like an ordinary pet, either. He doesn't fetch or shake hands. He sleeps under the bed instead of on it, doesn't always behave well on a leash and doesn't want to be ridden. His best trick is camouflage, but that backfires when, surprised in a hiding place, he inks Izzy's mother. Dockray's lively illustrations portray the action and add to the humor of this cheery, unusual pet story, especially through Oscar's expressive body language. Done with digitally friendly Doc Martin dyes and pencil, these images are colorful and engaging and will show well to a group. The diversity of the four seashore-exploring children in Izzy's crew is suggested through their different hair styles and colors. They're led by ponytailed, Caucasian Izzy, who does her best to figure out just what to do with this animal. "Oscar ate a lot. He grew bigger. So did his octopoop." Young listeners may finally, sadly agree that "[a]n octopus belongs in the ocean," but they'll cheer at the unexpected resolution. A grand addition to any pet-themed read-aloud session. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews